Now, new technologies (sometimes referred to as “fracking”) are making it possible to continue to extract oil and gas from the Mancos Shale layer. The substantial increase in actual and expected exploration poses clear threats to the Chacoan cultural landscape of northwestern New Mexico. In our letter, we assessed several critical threats and proposed specific ways to mitigate potential damages.

Archaeology Southwest developed its recommendations to the BLM in conjunction with participants in our ongoing Middle San Juan Basin cultural resources priority planning process. The comments also reflect and follow on discussions that occurred at the Society for American Archaeology meetings in April.

Professional archaeologists and members of the public will meet at San Juan College in August, just before the Pecos Conference, an annual gathering of Southwestern archaeologists. Participants will consider how to preserve and protect the cultural landscapes threatened by oil development. Archaeology Southwest’s Paul Reed and Matt Peeples will attend and report on these meetings.